antipodes

¹ American  

[an-tip-uh-deez] / ænˈtɪp əˌdiz /

plural noun

1. places diametrically opposite each other on the globe.

2. those who dwell there.

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Antipodes ² American  

[an-tip-uh-deez] / ænˈtɪp əˌdiz /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. a group of islands SE of and belonging to New Zealand. 24 sq. mi. (62 sq. km).

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antipodes British  

/ ænˈtɪpəˌdiːz, ænˌtɪpəˈdiːən /

plural noun

1. either or both of two points, places, or regions that are situated diametrically opposite to one another on the earth's surface, esp the country or region opposite one's own

2. the people who live there

3. (often capital) Australia and New Zealand

4. (sometimes functioning as singular) the exact or direct opposite

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antipodes Scientific  

/ ăn-tĭp′ə-dēz′ /

1. Two places on directly opposite sides of the Earth, such as the North Pole and the South Pole.

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antipodes Cultural  

1. Two places on the globe that are exactly opposite each other; for example, the North Pole and South Pole.

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Other Word Forms

• antipodean adjective

Etymology

Origin of antipodes

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin, from Greek (hoi) antípodes literally, “(those) with the feet opposite,” (plural of antípous ), equivalent to anti- “against, opposite” + -podes, nominative plural of poûs “foot”; foot

Example Sentences

It’s unclear who Tony’s peers might be on the internet, but it’s clear who his antipodes are.

From Slate • Dec. 17, 2024

The news from the antipodes helped provide direction to markets that had been drifting ahead of the release of minutes of the U.S.

From Reuters • Aug. 17, 2022

He stands at the antipodes of the poem’s heroic world: ugly, misshapen, ill-spoken, and filled with spite toward his leaders and betters.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 9, 2016

The latest straws in the wind come from the world’s antipodes.

From Economist • Mar. 5, 2015

Since the antipodes are known to exist, this traditional model must be wrong.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton